LEGAL ISSUES IN INDIAN AVIATION SECTOR

India’s aviation sector is expanding rapidly, necessitating a robust legal framework harmonising international conventions and domestic statutes. India adheres to the Chicago and Montreal Conventions while implementing national reforms such as the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 and the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Act, 2025. Regulators like the DGCA, BCAS, AAI, and AERA oversee safety, finance, and consumer issues. Key challenges include accident liability, highlighted by the 2024 Air India crash; regulation of drones and emerging autonomous technologies; crew fatigue and security concerns; and passenger rights, which remain governed by Montreal liability limits and consumer law rather than a dedicated compensation regime. Recent policy reforms also emphasise consumer protection and AI-driven fare monitoring. While India’s aviation law has modernised significantly, gaps remain in passenger-rights enforcement, environmental safeguards, and regulation of new technologies, requiring continuous adaptation to support sustainable sectoral growth.